2 SC Women Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

   NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (AP) _ Authorities say two South Carolina women who falsely claimed to be blind have been sentenced to five months in federal prison for stealing nearly $200,000 in fraudulent Social Security payments. 
 
   U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Thursday that 38-year-old Rita Sherlock and 42-year-old Mary Sherlock have been receiving Social Security disability payments since the mid-1990s by claiming to be blind. They had valid South Carolina driver’s licenses and had been cited for traffic violations. Both women live in North Augusta.
 
   Nettles says each woman pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. Their prison sentences will be followed by five months of house arrest.
 
   Rita Sherlock must repay the government more than $100,000. Mary Sherlock must repay nearly $92,000.